How to Make Lures for Fishing

There is a saying among anglers that big fish generally want a big mouthful. This can present difficulties for a fly-fishing enthusiast because most lures used with a fly rod represent insects that are small. Deer-hair lures, however, especially the deer mouse, offer an illusion of bulk while still being extremely light.

Things You'll Need

  • Hook
  • Vise
  • Thread
  • Scissors
  • Deer hair
  • Strand of yarn or rubber (dark color)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Affix the hook in the vise so the hook shaft and the point of the hook are both exposed.

    • 2

      Affix the thread to the hook by wrapping the thread around the hook shaft four or five times.

    • 3

      Create the mouse's tail by laying the yarn or rubber strand over the hook shaft so the strand protrudes one to two inches beyond the bend of the hook, then wrap the thread around the material and the hook shaft. Return the thread to the point where the hook shaft meets the beginning of the bend.

    • 4

      Take a pinch of deer hair and lay it alongside the hook shaft. Wrap the thread loosely over the center of the bunched deer hair and pull gently on the thread. Under this pressure, the ends of the deer hair will flare outward from the hook shaft. Gently pull the flared deer hair back toward the bend of the hook and wrap the thread four or five times in front of the foremost portion of the deer hair. This will compact the flared deer hair and provide the illusion of a bulky body.

    • 5

      Repeat Step 4 until the entire hook shaft is covered with compacted deer hair. At this point the hook will resemble a deer-hair puffball with a tail.

    • 6

      Tie off the thread at the eye of the hook and trim any excess thread.

    • 7

      Use scissors to trim the compacted deer hair into a mouse-shaped body.